‘The Rehearsal’ series review: Nathan Fielder’s fearless focus on human consciousness

Nathan Fielder in his latest HBO show turns the world (rural Oregon to be specific) into a single stage and all men-only players (yes, that includes you). going to the show, we know that Rehearsal is a six-episode HBO show created and directed by Fielder Nathan for you fame. Even once we’ve finished all six episodes, that’s the only thing we’re going to be sure of.

The show, which presents itself as a reality TV show, sees Nathan trying to rehearse certain aspects or events of his life to everyday people under controlled circumstances. The Canadian comic believes it will make the contestants well-versed in dealing with reality.

Rehearsals usually involve building elaborate installations; In one episode, the crew recreates winter (yes, snow weather). Participants work with actors within the confines of these establishments, and rehearsals stretch according to the demands of the situation, which also require rehearsals to be done round the clock, lasting five weeks. Nathan tries to simulate every possible outcome of the said situation; He also doesn’t let non-verbal cues (which are sometimes overlooked in real life) slip through his sight.

While this might sound overwhelming to someone who isn’t familiar with the work of the Canadian comic, the first episode of the show does a really good job of introducing viewers to the format. The episode begins with the core of Nathan, a trivia fan wanting to rehearse a confession to his trivia friend. Core explains that he was lying to her about getting her master’s degree and hopes to come clean. However, he is worried that a friend, Trisha, is not taking the news well.

While planning Kor’s rehearsal, it is revealed that Nathan rehearsed his first meeting with Kors because he admits he is socially awkward and that a rehearsal felt like a safety net. The first episode is going smoothly, except that when Nathan rigs up the trivia game in Core’s favor, he becomes somewhat annoyed as he takes his trivia game too seriously, a trivia purist if you can do it.

In the second episode, the rehearsal is bigger than life. For 44-year-old Angela, a devout Christian who plans to adopt a child with a partner in the future, parenthood is emulated round the clock. She is the poster child of the conservative American who believes Google is run by the devil, takes aromatherapy seriously and probably votes Republican.

(Spoilers for episodes 2-6 ahead.)

She soon finds a date (which caused her descendant to crash at 100mph) to attend her child-raising rehearsal. Child actors are hired to play the role of the child, and a robot baby that mimics the sleeping patterns of a real baby takes the place of actors at night because Oregon’s labor laws allow child actors to work at night. stop from. The date soon loses sleep and leaves the rehearsal when the robot baby cries; Nathan, the kind of gentleman he wants us to think he is, steps into the shoes of the scone-crasher to make sure he gives Angela the full experience.

Their child, Adam, turns three every week until he turns 18. They adapt fairly well to their new life in rural Oregon and rehearsal begins smoothly. Nathan, also the show’s director, goes to engineer rehearsals for those in need and accompanies Adam on occasion, while managing his own rehearsals. Soon, he is thrown down a rabbit hole of rehearsals because nothing he does brings him closer to truly understanding the participants and creating a genuine reaction out of them.

The rehearsals fall so short that he comes to Los Angeles with a fake acting school to train actors in “The Fielder’s Method” to help them. As part of this acting method, actors are expected to shadow their subjects to prepare them for the eventual play. Whatever situation he creates for himself, it prompts him to do more rehearsals, making a Russian doll (not a toy show) only for rehearsals. Their rehearsals intersect with each other and, in the process, Nathan loses the plot—he doesn’t contribute enough to his own rehearsals, causing him to focus only on the one going with Angela and Adam. Ends rehearsals. However, Angela soon leaves the show as she learns that the rehearsal has only been made to meet Nathan’s needs.

In the season finale, Nathan’s actions catch up to him when a child actor, Remi, who does not live with a father, refuses to leave the set and walk out of his closet because he believes That he has really fallen in love with Nathan. a father. Nathan also admits that he has been unable to recreate the bond he shared with another child actor, despite trying. However, Nathan still fails to realize the error in his ways and sets up another rehearsal with a child actor who looks like Remy to understand where Remy is coming from.

Despite all odds and hurdles he still believes that rehearsals are the best way to approach his issues and remains committed to his way despite suffering many casualties in the process. It is his honesty and commitment towards the process that sets the show apart.

The show is a brilliant satire of reality television. Camera power – something that almost functions as a digital panopticon – is a concept that finds mention in his previous work. In fact, the groundwork for Rehearsal can be traced back to the series finale of Nathan for you Where Nathan asks a participant to rehearse the situation for better preparation.

In December 2021, new York Times highlights a quiet revolution in comedy being started by the likes of Sasha Baron Cohen and John Wilson—comedies that capture the strange behavioral quirks we’re most often “real” than we try not to hide. There are. Rehearsal Puts Nathan at the forefront of this revolution.

The post-production of most reality shows often gets rid of the weirdness of human existence, thanks to the editing of the show being allowed to stay on screen. However, one question that gives brevity to this satirical attempt is whether the people on the show are playing themselves or acting out a well-rehearsed script. The NDA signed by the participants has let little go, keeping the suspense intact.

All six episodes do a stellar job at brushing off the emotional insecurities and anxieties that creep under our skin, making us realize that the show is ultimately full of heart; This will leave you a little more in love and forgiveness from people in general.

Rehearsals is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar